Songwritersâ€™ competition to join Arts Festival activities

December 19, 2010

By CLARE MALLORY
For the Daily News

The Starkville Area Arts Council will introduce a songwriters competition as the newest addition to the Cotton District Arts Festival activities this year.
In addition to the Festivalâ€™s traditional arts, music, dance, literature and culinary treats, local amateur and professional songwriters are invited to submit their original work for a chance to have their material played on one of the main stages on the day of the Festival.
Music has always been a significant part of the Cotton District Arts Festival, which draws tens of thousands to Starkvilleâ€™s Historic Cotton District each year.
In keeping with the Festivalâ€™s tradition of great competitions each year, the Songwriters Competition is a chance for local amateur and professional artists to be recognized publicly for their artistic ability in this genre.
Songs submitted in the competition will be judged on originality, melody, composition, structure and lyrics. All genres of music will be accepted, and the competition is open to all ages. The deadline for entries is Feb. 1, 2011.
Three winners will be announced on March 1, 2011. First, second, and third place prizes will be $250 cash, $100 cash, and $75 cash, respectively. All winners will be given the opportunity to perform their song on one of the Cotton District Arts Festival main stages.
2011 will mark the 16th annual Cotton District Arts Festival, which will be held onApril 23.
For more information on the Songwriters Competition, contact MSU Music Department faculty members Wayne Davis or James Sobaskie at 325-3070.
Applications are available online at http://www.starkvillearts.org. For more information about the festival, contact the SAAC office at 324-3080 or visit http://www.starkvillearts.org.